A Slovak entrepreneur is providing substantial funds to rescue a German flying taxi startup that nearly collapsed last month, the firm’s new backers announced Thursday. Lilium, noted for its development of electric-powered jets capable of vertical takeoff and landing, had filed for bankruptcy and was close to folding entirely on Christmas Eve when a consortium of investors intervened to save the company. A key figure in this consortium is entrepreneur Marian Bocek, who operates DTM Investment and founded the Slovak battery manufacturer InoBat.
Bocek, aged in his 40s, is reportedly contributing over 100 million euros ($103 million) of the more than 200 million euros pledged by the consortium. The consortium emphasized the necessity of finding additional partners and customers to begin full-scale production. The group also announced that the company has changed its name from Mobile Uplift Corporation to Lilium Aerospace.
Slovak investor rescues flying taxi startup
Bocek’s InoBat is currently a supplier to Lilium, and Chinese battery maker Gotion holds a significant stake in InoBat. Founded in 2015, Lilium has developed small electric jets with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
The company has garnered significant interest, securing 100 firm orders for its jets and hundreds more pre-orders. However, the development costs were high, leading the company to seek state emergency funding, which was denied. Consequently, Lilium declared bankruptcy in October before the new consortium of investors emerged.
Lilium has yet to conduct a manned test flight, but the first trial is expected later this year. Deliveries to customers are anticipated to begin in 2026.
